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03/20/2023 08:15 AMTown electors in Deep River approved six requests in the form of monies from the town’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) fund at a special town meeting by the Board of Selectmen (BOS) on March 13.
The BOS and electors approved a total of $348,600 for the six requests which will go to bolster town assets, social and emergency services, and economic development. This leaves the town with $966,308 left in its ARPA funds, monies that are meant “to be distributed as the town sees fit within the guidelines and regulation set forth by the federal government,” according to First Selectman Angus McDonald.
The meeting marked the second round of approvals by the town for ARPA funds. The first took place in April 2022 for an approval of $300,000 for Deep River Emergency Services to acquire very high frequency radios for services such as the public works, emergency management, and fire departments.
McDonald said that the ARPA requests were in accordance with appropriate categories as determined by the federal government for how monies for requests should be appropriated.
“The Board of Selectman and the Board of Finance, working together, identified three categories that we believe fall within the broad guidelines set forth by the federal government: the first being social services, the second being capital expenditures, and the third being economic development,” he said.
Rick Daniels was elected as town moderator to preside over the meeting and the vote on its agenda items and to open the floor for questions on each request.
The six requesting bodies that received approval for ARPA funding were Tri-Town Youth Services, The Shoreline Soup Kitchens and Pantries, the Deep River Historical Society, the Deep River Ambulance Association, Community Health Committee and the Deep River Food Pantry, and the Deep River Housing Authority.
Tri-Town Youth Services
Town electors approved $48,100 to “expand clinical services, sustain critical youth support groups,” and prop up “mental health promotions efforts” through Tri-Town Youth Services. The BOS said similar contributions from Chester and Essex are “contingent upon approval” of the request that McDonald said was needed partly due to the mental health effects of the coronavirus pandemic on residents.
“As a result of COVID, we’ve noticed a tremendous increase in the needs, especially in our youth, but also in our families,” McDonald said. The monies approved will go to support tri-town’s services for two years.
The Shoreline Soup Kitchens and Pantries
A request for $10,000 was approved for the purchase of a “refrigerated food truck to provide food to needy residents” to be used by The Shoreline Soup Kitchens and Pantries. The organization needs a match of $10,000 from the other tri-town municipalities.
Deep River Historical Society
Town electors approved $53,000 to “replace deteriorating and leaking roofs of the Stone House and Carriage House” of the Deep River Historical Society, and to “upgrade the security systems” of the buildings.
Deep River Ambulance Association
A request for $137,500 was approved to support the purchase of a new ambulance which will “accommodate advanced support life and psychiatric patients with greater compartment space.” The request also goes to support a “hands-on stretcher to reduce injury to patients and crew.” McDonald said the Ambulance Association is committed to spending its own money for the remaining amount such an ambulance would cost following the acquisition of the ARPA dollars.
Community Health Committee and the Deep River Food Pantry
Town electors approved $50,000 to supplement the town’s energy assistance program and food pantry. McDonald said that while “the generosity of the community” has helped to provide assistance for those who may be unable to purchase food or pay utility bills, the approved $50,000 should supplement support for related programs to optimal levels.
Deep River Housing Authority
Town electors also approved $50,000 to support a pilot program at Kirtland Commons to provide assistance for some of its most needing senior or disabled residents. The pilot program was another request driven by the impact of COVID-19, with the town finding there was not enough staff to support residents of Kirkland Commons and other facilities for seniors and disabled persons on fixed incomes. The two-year program will allow Kirkland Commons to have part-time workers to “provide household assistance to those who need it,” said McDonald.
He elaborated, “In a couple years, the State of Connecticut will understand that this is working as well as, if not better, than what social services has now provided, and we’ll continue to fund these operations.”
A request from the Middlesex Center for Behavioral Health for $15,525 for the purpose of providing “continued community behavioral health services” for Deep River residents was put aside from a vote at the meeting. Conversations between the town and the health clinic will be ongoing for better understanding of the needs of the latter group.
“There was some miscommunication about what they were spending money on and why they need it, and we’ve decided together that we will continue our conversations,” said McDonald. “We’ll bring it back when we have some clarification as to the expenditures.”
Daniels informed the attending audience that because ARPA funds are federally disturbed monies, none of the approved requests would have any encumbrances on the town budget.